Major League Baseball Teams Look Hard At Bottom-Line Figure Before Today’s Draft

By all accounts, J.D. Drew of Florida State is the most talented, most polished player available in today’s major league baseball draft.

He’s regarded by many scouts as the best college outfielder ever.

He’s the only Division I player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season.

But there appears almost zero chance he’ll be the No. 1 pick.

Instead, the Detroit Tigers likely will make a pitcher named Anderson - either Michigan prep star Ryan, considered a Randy Johnson clone, or Rice University ace Matt - the top choice overall.

Why? Because the Tigers do not want to pay the price, projected at perhaps $10 million or so, it might cost to get Drew.

In fact, many teams are looking at the bottom line with as much interest as a prospect’s statistics.

“We’ve never shied away from hard signs,” Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Fred Claire said, “but we’re taking a harder look than ever because signability is more of a factor than ever.”

Especially when it means signing someone who may not be in the majors for several years, if at all. Drew, 21, a junior, figures to command a steep price, which the Philadelphia Phillies seem willing to pay with the No. 2 pick.

“I’ve talked to several people, met with scouts and the Phillies,” Drew said. “So we’re going to see. It’ll be a very interesting draft.”

So will the signing period.

“Whoever we pick, it’s going to be a lengthy process,” Phillies director of scouting Mike Arbuckle said. “This year will be the longest process for everybody, the longest baseball has ever seen.”